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A review by jenniferlewyauthor
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I almost DNF’d this book but I’m (kinda) glad I didn’t.
The story follows Sam and Sadie, two college friends who become creative partners in the world of video game design. Their unique bond and shared passion for storytelling lead them to create their first blockbuster game, Ichigo, before they even graduate college.
I’m all for friends-to-business-partners-to-maybe-something-else stories, and this book initially drew me in with tender depictions of the main characters, their fears and limitations, and how they work (and sometimes don’t work) together.
BUT. I found myself holding my breath and waiting for… more. It’s a beautiful story about these two people and the video games they create. Perhaps I’m more impatient and distractable in my old(er) age, but I kept looking for—I don’t know, some action? A conflict? A twist?
It felt like something was missing with the momentum. It was slow and I didn’t see the point of continuing until a THING happened about two-thirds through (no spoilers). And that thing? Let’s just say it’s been an overused incident in fiction lately, but to be fair, that’s because it’s happening so frequently in real life.
I usually prefer faster-moving sci-fi that keeps me on the edge of my seat. This novel is well done, but it’s not an engrossing, high-stakes kind of story.
Okay, maybe those are small bones to pick with a literary novel, but I guess I expected more after hearing all the hype about this title.
The story follows Sam and Sadie, two college friends who become creative partners in the world of video game design. Their unique bond and shared passion for storytelling lead them to create their first blockbuster game, Ichigo, before they even graduate college.
I’m all for friends-to-business-partners-to-maybe-something-else stories, and this book initially drew me in with tender depictions of the main characters, their fears and limitations, and how they work (and sometimes don’t work) together.
BUT. I found myself holding my breath and waiting for… more. It’s a beautiful story about these two people and the video games they create. Perhaps I’m more impatient and distractable in my old(er) age, but I kept looking for—I don’t know, some action? A conflict? A twist?
It felt like something was missing with the momentum. It was slow and I didn’t see the point of continuing until a THING happened about two-thirds through (no spoilers). And that thing? Let’s just say it’s been an overused incident in fiction lately, but to be fair, that’s because it’s happening so frequently in real life.
I usually prefer faster-moving sci-fi that keeps me on the edge of my seat. This novel is well done, but it’s not an engrossing, high-stakes kind of story.
Okay, maybe those are small bones to pick with a literary novel, but I guess I expected more after hearing all the hype about this title.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence